This charming destination inn on the Buildwas Road in Coalbrookdale is renowned for good food and service – but now has a new team set on raising the offering to an
even higher level! At the helm is new manager Sarah Berkeley, an experienced player in the Shropshire hospitality industry. Sarah will need no introduction to many readers thanks to her time at The Woodberry Inn, in Bridgnorth.

Since joining The Water Rat in April, Sarah has brought in a new kitchen team led by Andy Taylor, whose many achievements include taking part in the BBQ in the Park series as a guest of Michelin-starred celebrity TV chef Tom Kerridge. Andy is Devon-born and raised, bringing with him a passion for everything from the sea. This has led to the launch of the fish board at The Water Rat, bringing a range of daily fresh fish specials.

In the kitchen Andy is supported by Kate Bradley, who gained her 1st rosette at The Water Rat’s sister pub The White Hart in the centre of Ironbridge.

Kate and Andy’s cooking styles and experiences have resulted in a menu that showcases quality local ingredients with worldwide influences to suit all the family. In-house smoked and cured meats by Andy are sharing the menu with Kate’s Asian infused cooking. Between them the majority of the menu is made in-house, including Andy’s BBQ and smoked sauces and Katie’s Asian pickled dressing and sauces. Breads are baked daily.

While Sarah, Andy and Kate are relatively new to the team, there is a familiar presence front of house in Mandy Price who is the backbone of everything. Mandy worked at The Meadow – The Water Rat’s previous name – from 2007 and has been with The Water Rat since day one. Her knowledge of the Ironbridge Gorge museums and other local visitor attractions is truly impressive and she is always ready to recommend places to visit to B&B and day guests alike.

The B&B consists of five double en-suite bedrooms and one family room with a double bed, twin beds, a bath and shower room. A Full English breakfast is included with your stay. A Bed, Breakfast and Dinner option is also available.

In an enviable location beside the Severn, there is a 70-seater restaurant inside and a further 70-seater garden dining area overlooking the river. Downstairs the Rat Hole is a great snug bar area leading straight into the garden.

A range of mouthwatering dishes are served daily with starters typically ranging from crab and crayfish taco and salt and pepper calamari to Tandoori tofu and Korean
fried pork belly. Mains feature the likes of chargrilled spiced chicken, pan-fried salmon fillet, sirloin steak and fries, pan-fried gnocchi, classic fish and chips and burgers.

The Water Rat’s take on classic desserts such at sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie, cheesecake and fruit crumble and custard, promise to round offany meal
in style. “On our new Autumn menu we shall be introducing Pie of the Day, as well as our chefs’ spin on casserole type dishes. Fish and chips and burgers will be given a new twist for the new season” Sarah explains. The children’s menu of cheesy tomato pasta, battered fish goujons, sausage and mash and mini cheese burger with fries, will be slightly tweaked for the new season but with a similar offering. Wines are from local wine merchant Addisons and local ales from Hobson’s brewery in Cleobury Mortimer, along with the brewers’ speciality pork scratchings.

“As we are a destination pub we offer a complete range of alcohol-free spirits, wines and beers for the designated driver” adds Sarah. This seems especially attractive given how many places don’t seem to offer much of a choice to the man or woman behind the wheel.

The Water Rat is a genuine family pub, witnessed by the fact that the kids’ menu has proved very popular.
The lovely garden beside the river is a particularly special feature, giving The Water Rat a real edge if you are looking for a place to dine out that not only provides excellent food, drink and service but an environment that’s easy on the eye, creating a feel-good ambience. Well worth a visit.

The Water Rat is open from Monday to Saturday, 11am to 10pm with food service from 12midday to 8.30pm.
Sunday opening is 11am to 8pm with food service, including a Sunday roast, from midday to 6pm.

MENUS & BOOKINGS HERE

Thank you What’s What Magazine for our lovely review

Water Rat Summer Decking with River Garden Views

Here at the Water Rat, we’re thrilled to unveil our newly restyled B&B accommodation in the Georgian guest house alongside our main Inn – just in time for summer staycations.

Our team worked closely with local interior designers and building contractors to give our six en-suite guest rooms a bright and breezy makeover, with calming neutral tones, lofty ceilings, soft fabrics and elegant decor.

Along with our idyllic setting on the banks of the meandering River Severn, overnight guests can enjoy a peaceful nights’ rest, powerful showers, a continental breakfast buffet and all the modern comforts of home while exploring everything Shropshire has to offer.

While seaside favourites like Devon, Cornwall and Wales remain high on the staycation wish list, more and more people are discovering the leafy delights of our county.

Alongside the five en-suite bedrooms available at our sister pub and B&B, the White Hart, we can now offer visitors a choice of 11 beautifully appointed rooms across Ironbridge for their stay.

Both of our venues are perfectly placed for exploring the surrounding areas and attractions, the Ironbridge Gorge, Enginuity, Blists Hill Victorian Town, the Coalport China Museum, Wenlock Priory, Wroxeter Roman Vineyard and Maws Craft Centre. Not forgetting our very own ‘Number Ten’ AA Restaurant located with the White Hart Inn, Ironbridge

Whether you’re coming from further afield or you’d just like to take a few days’ break in your own county to rediscover its many delights, we do hope you’ll choose to spend your stay with us

We were approached by one of our regulars, Jon Loxton. Jon is the kin of guy who loves drawing and painting houses. Working as an Architect for a number of decades, drawing has always been part of the day to day cycle of things for Jon. Inspired by Buildings, the spaces in between, the stories of the buildings and the people who use them.

Jon hand painted this lovely water colour of the Water Rat Inn, capturing the creative essence of Ironbridge.

He also kindly created one for our sister pub, the White Hart Ironbridge too.

If you like his work and love your home, let him make a personalised memory for you. Visit his website here

Ideal for the foodie in your life, or a ‘thank you’ or maybe a corporate pressie for someone leaving who likes a night out and a drink or two.
Our Water Rat branded gift vouchers are available from £25 up to £300. Redeemable as cash against any purchase, even drinks and an overnight stay!

Purchased securely via our on-line shop partners at Ibookedonline. Simply select your preferred spend. Add your personal message. Choose your preferred despatch method, or if you require it gift boxed, we can arrange that too! Pay securely online, and it will normally arrive within 48 hours. Simples!
Valid for 12 months of any purchase.

ORDER GIFT VOUCHERS HERE

Or pop in and pick up one from the bar, but it may not look as nice!

ADDED BONUS! Our Gift vouchers also redeemable at our sister pub, the White Hart, Ironbridge.

Following months of refurbishment interspersed with two floods and a virus pandemic we are very proud, and relieved, to have finally launched The Water Rat Inn, Ironbridge.

Formerly the much-loved Meadow Inn – we have undergone a huge £200,000 make over which has included not just a brand-new bar and restaurant interior but kitchens, car park, gardens, internal electrics and plumbing systems.

The all new Water Rat Pub opened its doors to customers on Thursday 16th July, following extensive product testing and training of the team, not just in service standards and product knowledge but in managing safe distancing and uber cleaning work practices.

Restaurateur Alex Nicoll, pictured with Manager Lee Howard, Head Chef Kyle Myatt commented;

“After a long four and half months of floods and virus pandemics as of this coming weekend Ironbridge is officially and fully open for business and I’m very pleased to report that the new pub in the Village the Water Rat Inn, following a £200,000 investment will play an important part at the entrance to historic Ironbridge; with its new interior and expanded gardens down to the river the business reflects the owners long term confidence in the village and its future as an important and popular visitor destination. Our second pub in the heart of the village, The White Hart is also able to play its part in that re-launch of the area and we can proudly say that Ironbridge is re-open for business.”

The two pubs have created ten new jobs in the area, retaining eight of the original staff from the Meadow Inn, with more returning to both pubs for the Government Furlough scheme.

Why the new name – the Water Rat?

When starting such a big and transformative the name came up for discussion; as we began to clear the lower gardens and reveal more of the river and willow trees nearby it brought in mind the idea of connecting the Pub more to its natural habitat – the riverbank. ‘Ratty’ from Kenneth Grahams’ Wind in the Willows is very much the solid and sensible one; bringing the troublesome Toad back to his friends and generally keeping the peace.

Head Chef Kyle Myatt and team offer a fresh ‘pub food’ plus menu featuring little tapas dishes to pub favourites steaks and specials – just what we’ve all been missing these last months.

New Opening Sample Menu Here

New Opening Times

For the summer period we will be open Wednesday to Sunday each week – from 11am offering a daily fresh menu from noon to 8pm. We expect to move to full seven day opening later in the year.

We are only taking parties of up to 6 in the pub. Our function room also had a makeover and will be open later in the year for bookings.

Our bed and breakfast will reopen at the same time as the pub.

Book Your Table Here

See you soon.

The Water Rat Team. 

PS…Safety First!

Along with all of the retail and hospitality sector we are introducing a more space between tables, control and rigorous hygiene routines into the pub. Expect to be asked to sterilise your hands on arrival; look forward to seeing all of us behind visors or masks; put up with a short wait at the door while the maximum two customers at the bar are served; hopefully enjoy more table service; love our single use menus to take home or throw away; rejoice at greater use of sachets for sauce ( bring it on) and ( wait for it) love opening your plastic bag of sterilised cutlery. And many other new procedures brought in to protect us all! Read our safety policy here

So far work has all been in the background focusing on the kitchens, grounds, team and services; Other than us removing the power station towers as you can see. These were blocking our light!

In the spring 2020 the real work will begin in earnest involving a month long shut down. The refurbishment will culminate in the launch of a new pub with a new name.

The new pub will retain all of the cosy friendliness of the much-loved Meadow Inn; a traditional pub menu (still good value) good beers and a warm welcome. The new name? Well, this pub has been called the Meadow Inn for many many years and this will be marked with a blue plaque style sign, and our new name will be The Water Rat. The river banks were once home to ‘water voles’ who share the same name, and maybe now the power station is closed they will one day return. Very fitting an in keeping with our wonderful waterside location. .

If you would like to be kept up to date with the changes and timetable, please join our newsletter mailing list or follow us on social media.